Holding a press conference at Istanbul Atatürk Airport before leaving for his Africa tour, President Erdoğan said: “We see that the countries which FETO has exploited the most are in Africa. Likewise, the first countries to discover the dark and bloody face of FETO and the countries which have taken steps aimed at eliminating it are also in Africa. Many countries have shut down FETO-affiliated schools and handed them over to the Turkish Maarif Foundation owing to our efforts.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a press conference before leaving for Algeria, first stop of his four-country trip to Africa which includes Algeria, Mauritania, Senegal and Mali.

“ALGERIA IS AMONG OUR MOST POWERFUL COMMERCIAL PARTNERS IN AFRICA”

Mentioning that a big delegation of business people as well as ministers and deputies will also be accompanying him during his trip, President Erdoğan pointed out that Algeria, which is the first stop of his Africa tour, is among the most powerful commercial partners of Turkey in the region.

Underlining that Algeria ranks 4th in Turkey’s natural gas supply, President Erdoğan noted that they want to boost the relations with Algeria in fields of military, internal affairs, defense industry and culture based on the Friendship and Cooperation Agreement signed in 2006.

President Erdoğan stated that bilateral relations and regional matters will be discussed and consultations on Al-Quds, Syria and Libya, the issues which concern both countries, will be made during the meetings and added that afterward he will go to Mauritania which he said he has long wanted to visit.

Mentioning that his visit to Mauritania will be the first presidential visit to this country from Turkey and on that sense it has a historical importance, President Erdoğan said that from Mauritania he will head for Dakar, the capital of Senegal.

“WE HAVE INCREASED THE NUMBER OF OUR EMBASSIES IN AFRICA FROM 12 TO 41”

Reminding that he had previously visited Senegal twice, one of which as Prime Minister, President Erdoğan stated: “This third visit will be the sign of our already excellent relations with Senegal. We want to further boost our close ties with Senegal. We would like to add new projects and new links especially to our commercial and economic relations.”

Adding that he will go to Mali as the last leg of his Africa trip and that this visit will also be the first presidential visit to this country from Turkey, President Erdoğan noted that he believe his visit will revive the historical ties between Turkey and Mali that go back to the 14th century.

Underscoring that since they took office they have increased the number of Turkish embassies in African countries from 12 to 41, President Erdoğan said that following the visits they will be trying to increase this number.

Mentioning that the countries which FETO has exploited the most are in Africa, President Erdoğan continued as follows: “Likewise, the first countries to discover the dark and bloody face of FETO and the countries which have taken steps aimed at eliminating it are also in Africa.”

“COOPERATION ON SECURITY WILL BE ANOTHER IMPORTANT TOPIC ON OUR AGENDA”

Pointing out that many countries have shut down FETO-affiliatedschools and handed them over to the Turkish Maarif Foundation owing to their efforts and that Mauritania, Senegal and Mali were among the first countries which did that, President Erdoğan expressed his belief that the Turkish Maarif Foundation will represent Turkey and the Turkish nation in the best way possible.

President Erdoğan also said that the countries which he will be visiting as part of his Africa tour have all either fought against terrorism or been faced with terrorist threat and added: “The country which would understand them the best and feel their sufferings the most is Turkey for sure. In this sense our cooperation on security will be another important topic on our agenda.”